It’s September and you may already be missing the fun that was had during the Delaware County District Library’s Summer Reading Club. Never fear – because another reading challenge is happening right now thanks to our partners at the U.S. Forest Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and State Library of Ohio.

This September, the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge kicks off at the Delaware County District Library! Help Smokey celebrate his 80th birthday by learning how to prevent wildfires and help the environment. This reading challenge is geared towards kids ages 4 to 10 and lasts all month. Participants start by taking the Smokey Bear Pledge, then read three books and earn four badges to earn their completion certificate. Visit any DCDL location to pick up your reading log, or download one at the Library website.

The Smokey Bear Pledge helps kids learn about fire safety, especially when it comes to having fires in natural areas like campgrounds. The books recommended for this challenge should be on wildfire prevention or the environment. Smokey’s reading list can be found at www.SmokeyBear.com.

Many readers will remember Smokey’s famous phrase, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” Since 1944, Smokey’s been working hard to inspire Americans to prevent wildfires. The campaign has evolved from forest fire prevention to teaching about all types of fire in nature and fire safety. Nature badges (stickers) can be earned during the reading challenge in categories like “Learn About Smokey Bear,” “Campfire Safety,” “Nature Adventure,” “Wildfire Science,” “Make a Difference,” “Tree Exploration” and “Career Exploration.”

When the pledge, books, and badges are completed, participants will earn a certificate! This is a great time of year to celebrate Smokey’s 80th birthday as you cozy up next to a campground fire with all the skills and safety tips that have been taught along the way.

Smokey’s reading list is full of titles for children reading picture books, chapter books, and secondary books for older readers. Here are some titles to check out and get started.

• “National Geographic Kids: Wildfires” by Kathy Furgang. Learn all about wildfires—how they happen, why they’re important, and when they’re dangerous—in this fascinating level 3 reader. It’s sure to ignite your interest, with color photographs, interesting facts, and more.

• “Smokejumpers One to Ten” by Chris L. Demarest. Filled with exciting pictures, a riveting book for young readers follows the smokejumpers, a group of highly trained airborne firefighters, as they parachute into remote areas to stop wildland and forest fires, rescuing our environment from devastation and saving lives.

• “The Hike” by Alison Farrell. Three intrepid young female explorers set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest, enjoying the process in their own different ways. They get lost and use maps to find their way. They draw wildlife, spot deer tracks, and see a deer before it startles and disappears, all before they finally and joyfully reach their destination.

• “Because of an Acorn” by Lola M. Schaefer. Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.

• “All About Wildfires: Discovering How They Spark, Burn, and Spread” by Alessandra Potenza. This book explores how wildfires start, how they spread, and how researchers are studying wildfires in order to keep people safe. The book includes a hands-on activity, a timeline, photos, and diagrams―and explains how specially trained firefighters fight the flames. Enjoy surprising TRUE facts that will shock and amaze you!

• “Controlled Burn” by Erin Soderberg Downing. When she’s sent to spend the summer with her grandparents in northern Minnesota while her sister heals, Maia discovers that her anxieties and demons are intent on following her wherever she goes … unless she can figure out how to overcome them. But what if she can’t? But Maia will soon learn that nature is a powerful teacher, and sometimes our greatest strengths show themselves when we have to be there for someone else.

• “Treecology” by Monica Russo. Young nature enthusiasts will learn these and many other fascinating facts about the wonderful world of trees in “Treecology.” This fun and interactive resource includes plentiful full-color photos and drawings and clear, kid-friendly discussions of tree structures, families, and foods; the interaction between trees and the wildlife that depend on them; tree and forest-related jobs and preservation; and much more.

If you have a question that you would like to see answered in this column, mail it to Nicole Fowles, Delaware County District Library, 84 E. Winter St., Delaware, OH 43015, or call us at 740-362-3861. You can also email your questions by visiting the library’s web site at www.delawarelibrary.org or directly to Nicole at [email protected]. No matter how you contact us, we’re always glad you asked!